Anthony TSwang Gullens, the South Bend Indiana-based artist who goes by the stage name "T-Swang" says he knows one sure-fire sign that a song is good is that it makes listeners feel good.

TSwang believes that music should be a source of joy and expression. It should be able to make you feel something. He doesn’t care if it’s you dancing to it, riding to it, making love to it, making you think on a spiritual or political level. It has to make you feel something. And if it doesn’t then you are not doing it right! He said “If I can't use my music to do something to lift someone’s spirit or make them feel good, or even help cope or get through something, then there is no sense in doing it,".

He is currently writing some new songs and gearing up for some shows to support the two new singles Teddy Bop and I Aint No Quitta. The second song I Aint No Quitta is written TSwang and produced by J-Stylz from BlackStreet a group that Teddy Riley produces. He said “I just want to write and perform for the rest of my life. Anything else bores me to death. I Love Music!”

TSwang wants to use his music to help Increase Awareness about Families who are in need and wants to do a tour entitled The Mission Is Possible Tour. Going from state to state, city to city filling food trucks and barrels to help feed the needy. His efforts have already put a dent in the hunger epidemic over the past 6 years by allowing him to raise over 5,000 lbs. of Non-Perishable food items to help stock the local pantry’s that provide food to feed family’s in there love one’s. “It is really important to me to help give back to communities all over the country.”

What Musical Genre Do You Feel Best Describes Your Music And How Would You Describe Your Sound?

R&B/Hip Hop/Soul with a blend of Pop. I would describe my sound as FunkHop which has R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, Pop, Jazz, Fusion, EDM, and Trap

How Did You Get Your Name? Is There A Story?

I got my name from a Band mate back in the 90's because of the way I dance and my love for the New Jack Swing sound inspired by Platinum & Grammy Award Winning Producer Teddy Riley.

What Are You Working On Now? Any Future Collaborations We Can Look Forward To?

I'm currently working on a 8 song release of all new material that will go on sale this Fall of 2018. Starting with a song Produced by J-Stylz of Black Street and written by myself. It's something for the Grown & Sexy totally different then my current single Teddy Bop that's been getting crazy airplay. I'm doing all of this recording out of West Studios 311 S. Apple Rd Osceola, IN.

I just finished a song with Platinum, Billboard recording artist Group The 69Boyz entitled "Back Yard Party." I wrote 7 tracks for Teddy Riley and J.T. Money. I've been very busy, and still made time to help raise food to feed families via a Michael Jackson Tribute Concert on June 29th by Celebrating the Legacy of the King of Pop.

What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry? What Is Your Plan Of Action?

My Ultimate goal is to do some Great music and change the way we do business in the industry. Start to treat Artist like they are partners and not someone's meal ticket or doormat to walk all over. I think if we start to look at the Music business for what it is as a whole. Only then can we get back to pushing out or breaking out great music and not just one sound for everyone! My plan of Action is simple, make quality music, share quality music with the fans, and continue to open up doors for artist who actually love music again.

What Is Your Favorite Track To Perform Live and Why?

My favorite track to perform live is Teddy Bop, MoMenTum, Live It Up A Lil, My Pockets Stay Swoll & Oh Yea! All these songs I mentioned just have that energy and the audience always gives it back to me when I perform them live with my Band.

What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?

My biggest challenge would be having to jump over the hurdles of getting finance to remain independent. When you find out how the industry in a whole is ran. You know that having the budget to promote and book your shows are the most important aspect to compete on a major scale as an independent Artist. So having the monies to play is the biggest hurdle for any artist! That's after learning and fine tuning your craft. You have to have product and the finances to promote it properly.

What’s Your Typical Songwriting Process?

I have learned to step out of the way of yourself and let creation take over. Once you do this your are able to capture some magical moments which lead to hits. I don't think about mixing a song until it's time to do so, I don't think about words to write until it's time to, I just step out of the way and let it happen!

How Has Social Media Influenced Your Career As An Artist?

Social media is a must tool to have in today's society. Don't try to fight it! It is one great invention for artist on a global scale or local scale. To share with my fans and get an immediate response can really help in the creative process. Sometimes I have public showings online to get the fans opinion on tracks or a song and they love being involved in it all. It helps them feel something tangible from you and it gives you insight points. Just think back in the 90's you had to spend all this money on paper fliers killing all kinds of trees, but not anymore. It use to be word of mouth and radio promotion. Now you can create an event share it, set up a radio interview get some mentions about the event and baaam! You have people from everywhere talking about the event and sharing it with others. So Powerful!

I would dance and imitate all the music stars on t.v. My mother tells me that I would be singing and crying all the time.

Any Advice For Young People (Men or Women) That Want To Succeed In The Music World?

I would always tell young people to save for a rainy day, Study your craft so that when that push button is not working you still can create from within and not by what you hear on the radio. Give back by helping another artist on the come up. And understand you have ownership on absolutely nothing that is God giving to you to share with your fans. It can always be taken and given to someone else. So never take it for granted! Study your craft, learn from the one's who paved the way for you and be humble.

What Would You Change In The Music Industry If You Were A Top Music Executive?

Stop thinking about everything from a Marketing perspective and let artist create Great music and change the way we do business in the industry. Start to treat Artist like they are partners and not someone's meal ticket or doormat to walk all over. I think if we start to look at the Music business for what it is as a whole.

How Do You Feel About Originality?

I feel you learn from the Greats! And you adapt what you learned from them to make it your own. Do you like no one else can do!

Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You Or That You Would Like to Add?

I love making music, and sharing it with anyone who would listen. I know what it feels like to be looked as strange, doubted by others, and cast out from the cool bunch. I have learned to use my music to express my love, pain, and anger to get my point across. Being told you are not good enough is only going to do one or two things to you. Make you stop or more determine to prove them wrong. I know what it feels like to have self doubt But that don't make you any less of a human being. I've learned to give my all in what I do and will continue to make progress in this land of music. I'm a voice for the artist and for the people and I'm hear to tell you. You can do it, just don't ever give up!